Smaller "Badmo barrels"

[Warthaug]

Has anyone build a badmo-style barrel using a smaller sized container? If so, how did it work and what size did you use? And what size did you cut your head?

I've got a few normal sized ones, but would like 1 or 2 smaller ones (maybe 4 quart) for more experimental stuff.

[Bottles]

I've made a couple using asparagus steamers bought from charity shops. I find there a good fit for my boiler (40lts) and getting roughly 2 litre/2 qrt from 2 runs.
Avoid the ones with riveted handles. Either way there small versions of bigger badmo barrels.
If making a head from scratch two areas to concentrate on. Joining the head boards together. Getting a sander to turn heard into a circle, preferably at an angle to match container.
Andrew

[Bolverk]

This guy on fb does 1 gal bad mo knockoffs
https://www.facebook.com/share/1J1ahXsaYX/

This guy does small 800ml versions
https://ten30barrels.square.site/

[Copperhead road]

This guy on fb does 1 gal bad mo knockoffs
https://www.facebook.com/share/1J1ahXsaYX/

This guy does small 800ml versions
https://ten30barrels.square.site/

So many attachments i came not open because i don't have a facebook account.

[higgins]

I've made around 22 badmo clones, most of them from 8 1/4 qt (7.8L) bain maries.
I made 4 from 4 1/4 qt (4L) bain maries for my '4 methods' experiment. I don't recall the exact diameter, but you need the container first to know the exact size it needs to be. These hold about 112 oz (3.3L).

I've also made 4 clones from 6 qt (5.7L) bain maries. These hold about 175 oz (5.2L).

DO NOT make the head too large, and be sure the taper matches the can!!! I don't have a press, so I basically just hammered the heads into the bain marie. I've had 4 or 5 of my clones split because of heads that were too tight. Many of these didn't split until a year or more after they were filled. I think I was putting too much taper on the heads, and even though it fit halfway into the can by hand, by the time it got hammered in the diameter was a bit too large.

My last batch of badmos (4 of the 8 1/4 qt) I put a smaller taper on the sides (about 1.5°) and used a pair of F clamps with a backer board to insert the heads.

Fclamps.png

[OtisT]

I’ve made badmos from 1 gallon to 3 gallons, all with the same depth to diameter ratio I’ve been very happy with the 1 gallon barrels. No real difference in construction or product results between the different sizes.

Badmo’s are slow agers in my opinion. A relatively low wood to volume ratio. If you go smaller diameter and don’t maintain the ratio, say a pipe or a tall/skinny bran marie, it will impact your aging time.

[Deplorable]

I’ve made badmos from 1 gallon to 3 gallons, all with the same depth to diameter ratio I’ve been very happy with the 1 gallon barrels. No real difference in construction or product results between the different sizes.

Badmo’s are slow agers in my opinion. A relatively low wood to volume ratio. If you go smaller diameter and don’t maintain the ratio, say a pipe or a tall/skinny bran marie, it will impact your aging time.

I dont think a lot of folks get this, and it's probably their best attribute.
They age very slowly like a full-size barrel, maybe even a little slower.
I dont put anything in a Badmo that I want to enjoy in less than 3 to 4 years. After 1 year in a badmo my single malts were all still really grassy. After 2.5 years they are starting to turn, but I think those 3 barrels are going to have to sit for at least 4 years to really begin to mature into a good American Single Malt Whiskey.
My first Badmo I filled with a 21% Rye, and it was almost perfect at 42 months in the barrel. That Barrel now has a single Malt in it as well.

I have a Garryana Oak BadMo with CROW Bourbon in it that turns 3 next month, and when I sampled it last week, I decided it'll probably go another year. By weight, it's lost less than 5 ounces in 3 years.

[subbrew]

I have been using Badmo clones for 4.5 years. My first year I filled two, a simple bourbon (just corn and barley malt) and a Honey Bear Bourbon. At 4 years the simple bourbon was as good as I think it was going to get. The HBB, I put the plug back in and think it will improve with another year. In a few months I will test and see.

My experience is that Badmo's move slow. So you don't need to be tasting often. I went from testing every other month when I filled them to every 6 months as they get closer to where I think they will be mature, to only annually for the first 3 years.

[Warthaug]

Thanks everyone, that's a lot of very helpful advice and useful links. @higgins, I am 100% stealing your clamp idea for installing lids.